Hadith on marrying one's relatives

I would like to know about the hadith which says that a person must choose a wife from his close relatives.

Answer

Imam Tirmidhi and Imam Al-Hakim (rahimahumallah) have recorded a hadith on the authority of Sayyiduna ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib (radiyallahu’anhu) that Rasulullah (sallallahu’alaihi wasallam) said:

“Three things should never be delayed:

a) The salat when it’s time has set in,

b) the Janazah Salat when the deceased is prepared and present and

c) the marriage of an unwedded woman when her kufw (match) is found.”

(Sunan Tirmidhi & Mustadrak Hakim vol.2 pg.162)

Imam Hakim and Hafiz al-Dhahabi have graded this hadith as sahih (authentic).

In the above hadith, the word “kufw” refers to compatibility. Compatibility is normally found in one’s own family, tribe, countrymen, society, etc.

Rasulullah (sallallahu’alaihi wasallam) got all his daughters married to his relatives.

Marrying outside the family

However, there will be no harm if one gets married outside of one’s family or society as long as compatibility is found. The widespread notion of the obligation in marriage within one’s own family is not binding.